Baboon’s romp from Johannesburg ends in Daveyton
The baboon was even spotted on top of a roof at a Johannesburg mall
For the past two weeks, members of the Owl Rescue Centre have had sleepless nights on a mission to catch a Chacma male baboon, which had been spotted roaming the streets of Johannesburg.
Their mission proved to be a success on October 3 when they finally, after several failed attempts, captured the baboon at a school in Daveyton.
According to Brendon Murray, of Owl Rescue Centre, the seven-year-old baboon, who has been named Elon, is believed to be from a troop at Hartebeespoort Dam.
“He was first spotted in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, then moved to Kempton Park and Petit. On October 1, he was spotted in Bapsfontein and on October 2 it was discovered that he was in Daveyton.”
Murray said they set up primate traps along Elon’s route to catch him, but he continued to get the better of them.
“Elon was chased for a full day by children in Daveyton until he went into hiding in an ablution facility at a school. The children couldn’t gain access to the school because the caretaker had chased them away.
“When we entered the ablution block, Elon went out through a window but we managed to catch him,” Murray explained.
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“During the rescue, a large number of people gathered outside the school gate.
“Baboons are not aggressive. They only want free food, like bananas and oranges and then proceed on their journey.”
He urged residents not to chase a baboon should they spot one but call the Owl Rescue Centre on 082 719 5463 for assistance.
Elon was taken to the Prime Crew Rehabilitation and Rescue Centre in Limpopo.
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